New research has suggested that the barriers to advisers using investment companies may be overestimated.

The study, conducted by consultancy the lang cat on behalf of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) shows how financial advisers are overcoming the barriers to using investment companies with clients.

Such barriers include market bias against investment companies, platform access and costs, and sketchy knowledge.

The report identifies a number of positive trends for investment companies, including the growing level of investment company assets, the rise of platforms that are “champions of open-ar...